Guide to Baiona for the Camino de Santiago

History of Baiona

Baiona has a rich history, even apart from the Camino de Santiago. Perhaps most notably, the town is known as being the first place in Europe to learn of the “discovery” of the New World when Christopher Columbus’s ship La Pinta returned here in 1493.

Shortly afterwards the old fortified town of Baiona was officially founded in 1497 by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragón and Isabella I of Castilla.

This town was once Galicia’s main center for trade until development in Vigo grew in the late 19th century.

Significance of the Town to the Camino

Located 77 miles (124 km) from Santiago de Compostela, Baiona is a popular starting point for pilgrims who want a shorter Camino. It’s one of the last stages on the Portuguese Camino Coastal route before the route merges with the Central route in Redondela, Spain.

While the Portuguese Camino route along the Coast has more so gained popularity in recent years compared to the Portuguese Central route and especially the French Way, there are some spots in the town where you can still lean into the religious aspects of the Camino if you like:

• Igrexa de Santa María de Baiona, a 13th century Romanesque church
• Capela de Santa Liberata, a 17th century church built to honor the first woman to be crucified

Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be much information available about this being an important Camino stop historically, likely because the only Minho river crossing previously was eastward on the Central route via the bridge built in the late 19th century that connects Valença and Tui.

Nowadays pilgrims choosing to do the Coastal route or a combo of Portuguese routes have the newer option of crossing the river via boat from Caminha just south of Baiona.

Top Things to Do in Baiona

While it’s not a big city, there are a number of special things to do in Baiona. Here are my top recommendations for your visit.

Walk Around the Fortaleza de Monterreal

Even if you don’t end up staying in Baiona for a night, you have to walk around the old medieval fortress Fortaleza de Monterreal. It’s a stunning walk around the fortress since it juts out into the water, and it’s interesting to read about the history of it (in Spanish, but you can use Google Translate or another app to help!).

The fortress has stood for hundreds of years and protected the town from attacks from nearby Portugal as well as England and France. The famous pirate Sir Francis Drake even attacked the fortress in 1585.

As you walk around the fortress, you can also see a replica of the ship La Pinta that brought the news back to Spain of the “discovery” of the New World.

Enjoy the Beach at Praia da Barbeira

There are several beaches in the Baiona. Praia da Barbeira, close to the old fortress, is one of the nicer beaches with quieter waters.

It’s a popular spot to spend an afternoon in the sun. You have views of the fortress behind you and the marina ahead of you. Plus, it’s just a quick walk from the old town.

Wander Around the Old Town

Baiona has a charming old town with small narrow pedestrian only streets through much of it. It’s fun to wander around and just take in all the sights.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants throughout the old town too, so you have plenty of opportunities for food or drink breaks.

Visit the Cíes Islands

These islands just off the coast from Baiona and Vigo have some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Years ago, The Guardian named the Praia das Rodas the best beach in the world. More recently, CN Traveller named these islands some of the best in Spain.

Note that the Galician government limits the number of visitors to the Cíes Islands each day. If you want to visit, it’s important to first make a booking in advance here on the government website.

Registration can be made up to 90 days in advance and can fill up quickly, especially during popular visiting times in the summer.

After making your reservation, you can book your transport via ferry or a private group tour. Note that ferries generally only run on Easter and from May 15 to September 15.

It looks like Mar de Ons provides ferry services from Baiona (and other cities) to the islands.

I’m really bummed I didn’t visit these islands during my Camino. I’ve heard nothing but great things about them.

You’d probably need to spend multiple nights in Baiona (or Vigo) to visit them, but everyone I’ve talked to has said they’re absolutely worth it.

Where to Eat in Baiona

There are plenty of restaurants in Baiona with good food. Here are some that I recommend:

• A Taberna do Abrente has a great deal for a menu of the day that costs €13.95. They have a ton of different selections for your two courses and give you a small pitcher of wine. I got a vegetarian lasagna and pork dish with french fries.
• Tapería la Abuela does not have the most spectacular food in the world, but if you want to dine outside of the typical Spanish schedule and want something quick and easy, it’s a good option.
• La Boquería seems to be one of the most popular restaurants in Baiona. When I was looking for food and asked places if they had kitchens, the ones that didn’t all seemed to want to send me here. I was too full to try it myself, but it’s highly rated.

Accommodations in Baiona for the Camino de Santiago

Wondering where to stay in Baiona? Here are a few places at various price points that I recommend:

📍Budget Option: Hostel Albergue Baionamar provides clean comfortable beds in shared dorm rooms at a central location in the town. I spent one night here on my last Camino.

📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel Carabela La Pinta has some of the most affordable private rooms in the town center. It’s highly rated with guests saying it’s clean and comfortable.

📍Luxury Option: The Parador de Baiona allows you to stay in a historic castle within the town’s old fortress. It’s in the coolest location with stunning views of the water and is the perfect place to treat yourself for a night!

I’ve written an article on other places to stay along the Camino Portuguese routes, so check that out for more tips!

Practical Information for Starting Your Camino in Baiona

Did you know? In 2024, Baiona was the 9th most popular starting point on the Camino. For pilgrims on the Camino Portugués Coastal route, it was the third most popular place to start after Porto and Vigo.

If you’re planning to start your Camino in Baiona like these pilgrims before you, here’s a quick guide to help you get ready to start there.

How to Get to Baiona

The closest airport to Baiona is in Vigo, Spain. From there, you can take a bus for around 1.5 hours to Baiona.

The bus isn’t the kind that you book in advance, so you will have to visit the main bus station in Vigo and inquire at the information desk there about the recommended bus to take and timetables.

Alternatively, Baiona is only about a 30-minute drive from Vigo, so you could arrange a taxi.

Aside from Vigo, other airports to look into include Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Madrid, Spain; or Porto, Portugal. From these cities, you’d want to take a bus or train to Vigo and then travel to Baiona from there.

Where to Get a Pilgrim’s Passport in Baiona

It’s important to pick up a pilgrim’s passport before starting your Camino. Why? Well, this passport will allow you to prove that you’re a pilgrim, getting you access to pilgrim-only accommodations.

Plus, having a passport will give you the opportunity to collect a certificate to commemorate your journey once you reach Santiago de Compostela.

You collect stamps in your passport all along your journey, and it’s part of the fun!

You can get your passport at the Colexiata de Santa María de Baiona for 2 euros.

• Address: Praza Sta. Liberata, s/n, 36300 Baiona, Pontevedra, Spain
• Hours: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-8 p.m.

Some albergues in Baiona also sell pilgrim passports.

Where to Purchase Last-Minute Gear in Baiona

Looking to buy trekking poles that you didn’t want to have to check on the plane? Or did you forget something from your packing list at home and need to pick something up?

No worries! While Baiona isn’t very big, there are places where you can get gear in the area. Here are a few to look into:

• Atleet Dorna Sport: This is more of a sports store in the center of Baiona but sells athletic apparel and Hoka shoes.
• Decathlon in Nigrán: A 15-minute taxi ride from Baiona, this store has all kinds of gear you can purchase. Think of it like Spain’s version of REI.
• Pharmacies: If you need any medical-related items like blister bandaids or ibuprofen, visit one of the pharmacies in the town. They’re great places to also buy travel size shampoo, small packs of tissues, and mini hand sanitizers too.

What to Do with Extra Baggage in Baiona

If you have extra luggage with you that you need to send onward to Santiago de Compostela, you have a few options. If you want a company to transfer your backpack each day, there are options for that too.

I would look into these companies:

➡️ Pilbeo: I used them to send my luggage from Porto to Santiago and had a great experience. They do daily bag transfers as well for approximately €7 per bag per day. Contact them at +34 670 64 80 78 (WhatsApp).

➡️ Caminofácil: This company also offers services for sending your bag on to Santiago de Compostela or transfering your backpack each day. Daily transfers cost around €8 per bag per day. Contact them at contacto@caminofacil.net or +34 610 79 81 38 (WhatsApp).

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions when it comes to visiting Baiona for the Camino de Santiago.